The Voice of Mirza Xazar

Mardan Palace Hotel Antalya

ISTANBUL - Europe's most luxurious resort, Mardan Palace Hotel, owned by Russian businessman Telman Ismailov is opened in Antalya. A splendid ceremony was held and in attendance were Hollywoodcelebrities and other famous artists.

Europe’s newest and most expensive luxury resort, Mardan Palace Hotel, was unveiled over the weekend at a spectacular opening ceremony in the Mediterranean city of Antalya. The five-star Mardan palace Hotel, built by Russian businessman Telman Ismailov, was host to world famous artists and Hollywood stars for the opening extravaganza.

Ismailov, who is of Azerbaijani descent, said he had realized 20-year old dream with the $1.4 billion hotel. "I made this investment because I love Turkey so much. I have always dreamed of making such an investment in this country. Finally, I realized it," he said.

The press conference, held Saturday before the opening ceremony, was attended by Hollywood stars Sharon Stone, Richard Gere, Monica Belucci, Paris Hilton, singers Seal, Tom Jones and Mariah Carey as well as many foreign and Turkish journalists.

When a press member asked Stone and Belucci the secret of their beauty, Belucci said: "My source of inspiration is Sharon Stone." She said she came from a beautiful family, adding: "The biggest effect on my beauty is the people around me."

Stone said beauty was a matter of inner life. She said people’s life had two parts. "A face is given to you in the first part of your life. And in the second part, you get the face you deserve. Beauty is related to the way you live your life. But in life, peace and generosity is reflected on your face."

When a British press member suggested to Richard Gere that Hollywood stars should be more open about their sexual preferences, Gere said: "I think everyone should be open about their sexual preferences. For example, my brother is gay and married. He has two adopted kids."

Views about the hotel

The artists, who attended the press conference, were asked their opinions of the Mardan Palace Hotel. Belucci said she wanted to stay in the hotel for a long time but that it would not yet be possible. She said she would come to Antalya again for a long holiday.

Stone said Ismailov’s generosity could be seen in every detail of the hotel. "It is very nice that he provided such an employment opportunity in this crisis environment," she said.

Seal said it was incredible that everything in the hotel’s design was the work of Ismailov, adding that he should be congratulated. "You can see the style of the Ottoman Empire in the hotel. I really felt the golden age of the empire here. When you make an investment, you have to respect culture and preserve it. Ismailov succeeded it."

Expressing his delight to be in Turkey, Gere said: "I wish I had an opportunity to visit Turkey. I want to see this extraordinary country with my wife. I came here because Ismailov made a noteworthy donation to my foundation," he said.

After the press conference, Europe’s most luxury resort opened with a party that went on inot the late hours. Dignitaries and artists cut the ribbon together to open the hotel. Presented by Stone and Seal, the opening ceremony hosted 600 special guests. Carey, Jones and well-known Russian singer Philip Kirkorov performed concerts during the night.

Mardan Palace Hotel

With the Taurus Mountain range as a backdrop, Mardan Palace Hotel has 560 rooms, including two Royal Suites with private pools. Drawing on a Turkish heritage, the hotel’s architecture reflects distinctive landmarks of Istanbul. The main hotel resembles the Dolmabahçe Palace and bridges across the pool are based on original designs of the Da Vinci Bridge. Having the Mediterranean’s largest swimming pool, the hotel also boasts the 7,500 square meter "Mardan Spa," 17 bars and 10 a la carte restaurants that include French, Japanese, Russian, Thai and traditional Turkish cuisine.

http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/english/lifestyle/11716008.asp?gid=244

Technorati Tags: Azerbaijan, Mardan Palace, Antalya resort, Telman Ismailov

EURASIA INSIGHT

Mina Muradova 3/17/09

Azerbaijani citizens will hold a constitutional referendum on March 18 that may well seal the fate of the country’s democratization process. The key amendment up for public approval concerns the lifting of presidential term limits.

In all, voters will decide on 41 amendments to 29 articles of Azerbaijan’s constitution, touching on issues ranging from the right to privacy to freedom of media. Amendments with a majority "yes" vote will be adopted, provided that 25 percent of Azerbaijan’s more than 4.9 million voters take part in the referendum.

Most domestic and international attention has focused on provision on removing presidential term limits. Critics say the amendment, if approved, will effectively guarantee that the incumbent, Ilham Aliyev, son of the late president Heydar Aliyev, will become president-for-life.

"This referendum has only one purpose . . . to perpetuate the Aliyevs’ power," declared Isa Gambar, head of the opposition Musavat Party in a March 14 meeting with voters in Sumgayit, not far from Baku. "I call on you to take a break on March 18. Do not go to the polling stations and say ’No’ to the Aliyevs and their lawlessness by this action."

In a March 16 statement, the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission, which monitors member-states’ constitutional changes, posited that the lack of restraints on President Aliyev’s current powers means that "unlimited re-election of a President is a step back, in terms of democratic achievements." Belarus is the only European presidential republic that does not limit the number of consecutive terms.

Term limits, the commission continued, are "meant to limit the risk of negative consequences for democracy arising from the fact that a same person has the possibility of occupying the presidency for an excessive period of time."

The fact that the proposed amendment poses the question in terms of extending the president’s term "during a state of war" further complicates the issue, the commission wrote. Azerbaijan officially considers itself to be at war with Armenia over the breakaway territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.

One senior Yeni Azerbaijan Party parliamentarian, however, countered that the Venice Commission’s opinions carry little weight. "The Azerbaijani Constitution is being amended under transparent conditions. Azerbaijan took European countries’ constitutions into account while amending the constitution," stated Ali Huseynov, chairman of the Azerbaijani parliament’s State Institutions and Legal Policy Committee, on March 16. "We did not consider it necessary to apply to the [Council of Europe’s] Venice Commission," the APA news agency reported Huseynov as saying.

One international law expert criticized the referendum process as illegitimate. "It started one month after the presidential elections, but during the election neither the main candidate [Ilham Aliyev], nor his representatives announced their intention to amend the constitution," argued Erkin Gadirli. "It is dishonest towards voters who, as it seems, voted for a candidate who had hidden plans."

The Constitutional Court’s decision to hold the referendum was made on President Aliyev’s birthday, December 24, he continued, terming the ruling "absolutely politically motivated." The high court’s eight judges, who are presidential appointees, "became hostages of a situation that affects their independence," Gadirli said. Under the proposed amendment, the court would decide when the president’s term can be extended.

Meanwhile, both the Venice Commission and the non-governmental organization Election Monitoring and Democracy Studies Center have taken issue with the lack of public discourse surrounding the referendum.

The Azerbaijani public is "very little" informed about the vote, noted the EMDS Center on Mach 15; a situation that the NGO attributes to "the absence of freedoms of assembly, speech and press." Violations observed during the run-up to the referendum range from arrests of anti-referendum activists to the removal of anti-referendum posters from public places, the group said.

The Venice Commission noted that political groups have regretted "the insufficient consultation" which has taken place before the vote and "the limited" public discussion on the pros and cons of the various amendments proposed.

The lack of debate was among the reasons cited by the opposition parties and non-governmental organizations for voters to boycott the referendum, as announced on March 10. The 28-day campaign period was not adequate for disseminating any different point of view about the proposed amendments, they argued.

The government, however, is shrugging off all criticism. "The opposition does not have any alternative opinions or concrete position regarding the referendum. Therefore, they decided to boycott the referendum," stated Elnur Aslanov, head of the presidential administration’s Policy Analysis and Information Department. "It shows the opposition’s indecision and lack of scruples. Their decision will not have any impact on the results of the referendum."

Countered Lala Shovkat, leader of the Liberal Party, on March 14: "The constitution is not a suit that everyone can destroy and alter for himself."

Editor's Note: Mina Muradova is a freelance reporter based in Baku.

Posted March 17, 2009 © Eurasianet
http://www.eurasianet.org

IN THE NAME OF REPUBLIC!

The plan to kill Republic in Azerbaijan will be the crime against our nation, our history, our future! This is the new era for everyone who considers himself/herself as a patriot of Azerbaijan. We must stand up to defend our Republic. We need to launch the widest public campaign in Azerbaijan and in the world to stop this nightmare!

All this disgusting process is full of symbolic moments. They commit this crime against the Republic exactly 90 years later, when ADR leaders created first recognized democratic Republic in the Muslim world. 90 years later we are living out one of the greatest shames in our history. The Constitutional Court will adopt the most shameful decision in its history as a birthday "gift" to the President on 24th of December. Things are now much more clear than ever before!

Everyone who supports REPUBLIC must rise NOW! There is no place for "lobbying" Azerbaijani interests in USA or in Europe, when Azerbaijani interests are destroyed first in Baku. I do not want even to discuss what kind of a GIFT is all this for Armenian propaganda against Azerbaijan.

We need more than just a petition, more than just facebook, more than just yahoogroups. Government must face resistance it has never faced before! Enough is enough!

We need new public non-violent movement to campaign against this crime and we need to unite to support and to defend our Republic!

In the name of Republic!

Emin Milli

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